Hymns and Spiritual Songs Part 3

Hymn 1:16.

Hosanna to Christ, Matt. 21. 9. Luke 19. 38 40.

1 Hosanna to the royal Son Of David's ancient line, His natures two, his person one, Mysterious and divine.

2 The root of David here we find, And offspring is the same; Eternity and time are join'd In our Immanuel's name.

3 Bless'd he that comes to wretched men With peaceful news from heaven; Hosannas of the highest strain To Christ the Lord be given.

4 Let mortals ne'er refuse to take Th' hosanna on their tongues, Lest rocks and stones should rise, and break Their silence into songs.

Hymn 1:17.

Victory over death, 1 Cor. 15, 55 &c.

1 O for an overcoming faith To cheer my dying hours, To triumph o'er the monster Death, And all his frightful powers.

2 Joyful with all the strength I have My quivering lips should sing, "Where is thy boasted victory, Grave?

And where the monster's sting?"

3 If sin be pardon'd I'm secure, Death hath no sting beside; The law gives sin its d.a.m.ning power, But Christ, my ransom, died.

4 Now to the G.o.d of victory Immortal thanks be paid, Who makes us conquerors while we die, Thro' Christ our living head.

Hymn 1:18.

Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, Rev. 14. 13.

1 Hear what the voice from heaven proclaims, For all the pious dead, Sweet is the savour of their names, And soft their sleeping bed.

2 They die in Jesus, and are bless'd; How kind their slumbers are!

From sufferings and from sins releas'd, And freed from every snare.

3 Far from this world of toil and strife, They're present with the Lord; The labours of their mortal life End in a large reward.

Hymn 1:19.

The song of Simeon; or, Death made desirable, Luke 2. 27 &c.

1 Lord at thy temple we appear, As happy Simeon came, And hope to meet our Saviour here; O make our joys the same!

2 With what divine and vast delight The good old man was fill'd, When fondly in his wither'd arms He clasp'd the holy child!

3 "Now I can leave this world," he cry'd, "Behold thy servant dies, "I've seen thy great salvation, Lord, "And close my peaceful eyes.

4 "This is the light prepar'd to shine "Upon the Gentile lands, "Thine Israel's glory, and their hope "To break their slavish bands."

5 [Jesus, the vision of thy face Hath overpowering charms Scarce shall I feel death's cold embrace If Christ be in my arms.

6 Then while ye hear my heart-strings break, How sweet my minutes roll!

A mortal paleness on my cheek, And glory in my soul.]

Hymn 1:20.

Spiritual apparel; namely, the robe of righteousness, and garments of salvation, Isa. 61. 10.

1 Awake, my heart, arise, my tongue, Prepare a tuneful voice, In G.o.d the life of all my joys, Aloud will I rejoice.

2 'Tis he adorn'd my naked soul, And made salvation mine, Upon a poor polluted worm He makes his graces shine.

3 And lest the shadow of a spot Should on my soul be found, He took the robe the Saviour wrought, And cast it all around.

4 How far the heavenly robe exceeds What earthly princes wear!

These ornaments, how bright they shine!

How white the garments are!

5 The Spirit wrought my faith and love, And hope, and every grace; But Jesus spent his life to work The robe of righteousness.

6 Strangely, my soul, art thou array'd By the great sacred Three: In sweetest harmony of praise Let all thy powers agree.

Hymn 1:21.

A vision of the kingdom of Christ among men, Rev. 21. 1-4.

1 Lo, what a glorious sight appears To our believing eyes!

The earth and sea are pa.s.s'd away, And the old rolling skies.

2 From the third heaven where G.o.d resides, That holy happy place, The New Jerusalem comes down Adorn'd with shining grace.

3 Attending angels shout for joy, And the bright armies sing, "Mortals, behold the sacred seat "Of your descending King.

4 "The G.o.d of glory down to men "Removes his blest abode, "Men the dear objects of his grace, "And he the loving G.o.d.

5 "His own soft hand shall wipe the tears "From every weeping eye, "And pains, and groans, and griefs, and fears, "And death itself shall die."

6 How long, dear Saviour, O how long, Shall this bright hour delay!

Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time, And bring the welcome day.

Hymn 1:22. [Supplement.]

Flesh and Spirit. Rom. 8. 1.

1 What vain desires, and pa.s.sions vain, Attend this mortal clay!

Oft have they pierc'd my soul with pain, And drawn my heart astray.

2 How have I wander'd from my G.o.d, And following sin and shame In this vile world of flesh and blood Defil'd my n.o.bler frame!

3 For ever blessed be thy grace That form'd my soul anew, And made it of an heaven-born race, Thy glory to pursue.